Balfe, Michael William

Irish composer, best known today for his opera The Bohemian Girl

1808 - Born on the 15th of May in Dublin.

1817 - He appeared as a violinist in public.

1823 - Moved to London and was engaged as a violinist in the orchestra of Drury Lane.

1825 - He was taken to Rome by Count Mazzara and introduced to Luigi Cherubini on the way.

1827 - Appeared as Figaro in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, at the Italian opera in Paris.

1829-1830 - Produced his first complete opera, I Rivali di se stessi, at Palermo in the carnival season.

1833 - He returned to England.

1835 - His Siege of Rochelle was produced and rapturously received at Drury Lane.

1836 - Micheal produced The Maid of Artois.

1843 - Balfe wrote several operas for the Opéra Comique and Grand Opéra in Paris such as Le Puits d'amour.

1844 - Les Quatre Fils Aymon.

1845 - His L'Etoile de Seville was written for the Académie Royale.

1864 - Balfe retired to Hertfordshire where he owned a farm.

1870 - He died on 20th of October and was buried at Kensal Green.